Post-blackbear 93 Octane Tune '09 5.3l Mpg Results

Black.is · June 2, 2009

Just some information for all of you who are considering getting a Blackbear tune, and are maybe stuck between 87/93 tunes, and whether or not you should turn off the Active-Fuel Management.

Morgantown, WV to Greenville, NC

I covered all aspects of terrain, Mountains in Western Maryland to flat roads of southern Virginia and NE North Carolina even Friday evening rush hour D.C. traffic (in which I went 7.7 miles in 1.5 hours!!!) etc etc.

I reset the MPG AVG in the DIC before the and I averaged 17.4-17.8 mpg's there and back.

I had Justin tune to 93 octane AND remove the Active-Fuel Management feature. I tried to use cruise control as much as I could and it was set at either 70, 75, or 80. All in all, that's not too bad of an average. I have seen a 2.5-3 mpg increase over the stock tuning parameters and I am very happy!!!

**EDIT**

I purchased a spare ECM from Justin and I used that for the tune. This way I can swap the stock ECM back in for service appointments.

I had to perform the crank re-learn, and it was simple. The instructions that Blackbear included with the spare ECM were great.

I could not purchase a Spare TCM (Transmission Control Module) because my 2009 has the Electronic 6-speed transmission and either does not use a TCM or has the TCM and ECM combined as one, or the TCM is located somewhere too hard to reach without pulling the transmission or something, Im not sure and I forget which is the correct reason. But either way I am not worried about it.

Jnk · June 2, 2009

Just some information for all of you who are considering getting a Blackbear tune, and are maybe stuck between 87/93 tunes, and whether or not you should turn off the Active-Fuel Management.

Morgantown, WV to Greenville, NC

I covered all aspects of terrain, Mountains in Western Maryland to flat roads of southern Virginia and NE North Carolina even Friday evening rush hour D.C. traffic (in which I went 7.7 miles in 1.5 hours!!!) etc etc.

I reset the MPG AVG in the DIC before the and I averaged 17.4-17.8 mpg's there and back.

I had Justin tune to 93 octane AND remove the Active-Fuel Management feature. I tried to use cruise control as much as I could and it was set at either 70, 75, or 80. All in all, that's not too bad of an average. I have seen a 2.5-3 mpg increase over the stock tuning parameters and I am very happy!!!

Dude that's awesome. I so want a BB tune but I am very afraid of the warranty issues that can arise. It seems every BB tune is positive and definitely the best bang for the buck performance mod. Makes me jealous.

gaidin43 · June 2, 2009

There is no questioning the performance benefits you get from the tune, but the issue still arises that the dealer can tell if your trucks are tuned now and WILL void your warranty, wither or not your have power train issues. Warranty by far is more important than a tune for the first 3 years / 36,000 miles or so. They posted a bulletin on it not to long ago, but there has been such a LARGE increase in tuned trucks, and thus issues coming from the tunes.

I am still on the fence, but I think the tune will have to wait till the warranty is over for me.

weymard · June 2, 2009

WOW interesting ! In same conditions that you (mountains, flat roads, city etc..) on 800 miles and drove 70 M/h no more, I averaged 16,9 mpg with my 2007 6,0L AND afm, but I have 95 octane (Europe) and stock tuning.

dansk · June 2, 2009

There is no questioning the performance benefits you get from the tune, but the issue still arises that the dealer can tell if your trucks are tuned now and WILL void your warranty, wither or not your have power train issues. Warranty by far is more important than a tune for the first 3 years / 36,000 miles or so. They posted a bulletin on it not to long ago, but there has been such a LARGE increase in tuned trucks, and thus issues coming from the tunes.

I am still on the fence, but I think the tune will have to wait till the warranty is over for me.

Gaiden, please direct me to any single posting on this forum of a member having been denied warranty because of tuning. I certainly cannot find one.

superjim · June 2, 2009

As has been stated on here countless times...

GET ANOTHER SET OF MODULES AND KEEP YOUR STOCK ONES UNTOUCHED.

Swap them out, (five minutes) when you are going to the dealer for service.

VMax2007 · June 2, 2009

There is no questioning the performance benefits you get from the tune, but the issue still arises that the dealer can tell if your trucks are tuned now and WILL void your warranty, wither or not your have power train issues. Warranty by far is more important than a tune for the first 3 years / 36,000 miles or so. They posted a bulletin on it not to long ago, but there has been such a LARGE increase in tuned trucks, and thus issues coming from the tunes.

I am still on the fence, but I think the tune will have to wait till the warranty is over for me.

Gaiden, please direct me to any single posting on this forum of a member having been denied warranty because of tuning. I certainly cannot find one.

That is because none exist. I have been to the dealer several times and my warranty is still intact.

As has been stated on here countless times...

GET ANOTHER SET OF MODULES AND KEEP YOUR STOCK ONES UNTOUCHED.

Swap them out, (five minutes) when you are going to the dealer for service.

5 minutes.......IF you take time out to drink a beer.

superjim · June 2, 2009

Gaiden, please direct me to any single posting on this forum of a member having been denied warranty because of tuning. I certainly cannot find one.

That is because none exist. I have been to the dealer several times and my warranty is still intact.

As has been stated on here countless times...

GET ANOTHER SET OF MODULES AND KEEP YOUR STOCK ONES UNTOUCHED.

Swap them out, (five minutes) when you are going to the dealer for service.

5 minutes.......IF you take time out to drink a beer.

Well, here is the procedure....

Go to garage and raise hood.

Remove tuned modules.

Go to the roll-a-way to get original modules.

Go back in house and get key for roll-a-way and a cold drink of your choice.

Go back to garage...unlock roll-a-way and get modules.

Remove bubble wrap and install original modules in truck.

Put tuned modules in roll-a-way (after wrapping them in bubble wrap) and lock it.

Put empty drink can in recycle bin.

Put key for roll-a-way back in keybox in the house.

DONE....

gaidin43 · June 2, 2009

This is what I was talking about. Tunes can be TRACKED. It is not about if the chip you have in is tuned or not it is the counter. If the counter on the chip does not match the counter in the computer they can tell you are switching out your chips.

Like I said, tunes are great, but there are bigger issues now that deal with expenses for repairs over performance.

My 2008 is completely stock and its been doing this for the last year. When in V4 mode the engine vibrates or shudders till it goes into V8 mode. I can keep a steady speed and pressure on pedal and got this to go for almost a mile before it kicks into V8. I think it getting worst but the dealer has no answer. They say of the hundreds of trucks they sold I am the only one to complain of this. I am considering a 2010 Duramax. Don't need it but want to get rid of AFM.

One thing about tunes it that your powertrain warranty is gone.

Read this in recent tech literature. I am just passing on info, not criticizing those who do this.

QUOTE Identifying Aftermarket Non-GM Calibrations

By Blog Admin on February 1, 2009 7:17 PM | No Comments

For more details, refer to bulletins 08-06-04-033 (Gasoline Engines) and 08-06-04-006A (Diesel Engines).

General Motors is identifying an increasing number of engine, transmission and catalytic converter part failures that are the result of non GM - aftermarket engine and transmission control calibrations being used.

When alteration to the GM released engine or transmission control calibrations occurs, it subjects powertrain and driveline components (engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshaft and rear axle) to stresses that were not tested by General Motors. It is because of these unknown stresses, and the potential to alter reliability, durability and emissions performance, that GM has adopted a policy to cancel any remaining warranty coverage to the powertrain and driveline components, whenever the presence of a non-GM / aftermarket calibration is confirmed -- even if the non-GM control module calibration is subsequently removed.

Warranty coverage is based on the equipment and calibrations that were released on the vehicle at time of sale, or subsequently updated by GM. That's because GM testing and validation matches the calibration to a host of criteria that are essential to assure reliability, durability and emissions performance over the life of the warranty coverage and beyond. Stresses resulting from calibrations different than those tested and released by GM can damage or weaken components, leading to poor performance and or shortened life.

Additionally; non-GM-issued aftermarket engine control modifications often do not meet the same emissions performance standards as GM-issued calibrations. Depending on state statutes, individuals who install engine control module calibrations that put the vehicle outside the parameters of emissions certification standards may be subject to fines and / or penalties.

GM service bulletins 08-06-04-033 and 08-06-04-006 outline procedures to identify the presence of non-GM / aftermarket calibrations. GM recommends performing this check whenever a hard part failure is seen on internal engine or transmission components, or before an engine assembly or transmission assembly is being replaced under warranty. It is also recommended that the engine calibration verification procedure be performed whenever diagnostics indicate that catalytic converter replacement is indicated.

In February 2009, PQC will begin piloting a process to confirm the ECM calibration is GM-issued. Beginning in February, PQC will require a picture of the engine calibration verification screen, as outlined in the bulletin, before authorizing any V8 engine replacement (both Gas and Diesel). (fig. 19)

If a non-GM calibration is detected by the dealership, follow the procedures outlined in the bulletin. Once documentation of the non-GM calibration has been received, and verification has taken place through GM, the remaining powertrain and driveline warranty will be cancelled and noted in VISS, and the dealership will receive the following notification:

Based on information that has been received, please inform the customer that the Powertrain portion of the New Vehicle Warranty is no longer in effect for the engine, transmission, driveline and rear axle on VIN XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, due to the presence of non-GM calibrations and / or equipment. The stresses resulting from the non-GM calibrations and / or equipment were not validated by GM and therefore cannot be warranted on any components that are subject to those stresses. Repairs to powertrain or driveline components that may currently require repair should not be covered under the terms of the new vehicle warranty. The warranty group has been advised of this information and VISS will be updated accordingly.

This post has been edited by elcamino: May 31 2009, 07:12 PM

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2008 GMC Extended Cab SLT Z71 Sonoma Red

2009 Cadillac CTS4 Blue Diamond Paint

superjim · June 2, 2009

This is what I was talking about. Tunes can be TRACKED. It is not about if the chip you have in is tuned or not it is the counter. If the counter on the chip does not match the counter in the computer they can tell you are switching out your chips.

Please elaborate on the "COUNTER" you are referring to.

I would like more info on this please..

I swap my tuned and untuned modules out every once in a while...but I am very curious about this "COUNTER."

What does it actually "DO" and what does it interface with?

cerbomark · June 2, 2009

to make your MPG gains somewhat accurate did you use 93 octane before the tune??? My question is maybe you d see a MPG gain by just going from 87 to 93 without the tune???

georgecdisc · June 2, 2009

to make your MPG gains somewhat accurate did you use 93 octane before the tune??? My question is maybe you d see a MPG gain by just going from 87 to 93 without the tune???

From what I've read on this forum thus far there is little to no MPG gain from just switching octane level. A tune is necessary to get the full benefits of it. I think it is because the upper spark table doesn't adjust for octane up to 93, it probably is capped at something equivalent to 89. My guess is an 87/93 tune just moves the upper spark table to the 93 level.

66nova · June 2, 2009

There is no questioning the performance benefits you get from the tune, but the issue still arises that the dealer can tell if your trucks are tuned now and WILL void your warranty, wither or not your have power train issues. Warranty by far is more important than a tune for the first 3 years / 36,000 miles or so. They posted a bulletin on it not to long ago, but there has been such a LARGE increase in tuned trucks, and thus issues coming from the tunes.

I am still on the fence, but I think the tune will have to wait till the warranty is over for me.

If I just had to wait 3 years or 36000 I may have done that, but its 5 year 100,000 powertrain.

Oh, and I'm glad you are enjoying your tune. It is absolutely amazing the difference it makes.

alaska511 · June 2, 2009

Congrats Nick!

Neutron · June 2, 2009

I'm on the fence on getting a tune as well. I figure I might as well just get the basic tune and not worry about the extra set of chips. I have the extended warranty from GM though.

I get 17-17.5 MPG on average now per tank. I wonder how much of an increase I will see with both a BB tune and the Airaid MIT tube with K&N filter?